I began writing on Sept. 23 and only took a few weeks off in November to work on my thesis--so I'd guess about 2.5 months to write the draft (which is likely poorly written at this point). I know that I rushed the ending a bit (because I wanted to be done with it, I think), but that will be rectified in the editing process. It's 413 pages or 141,054 words (twenty three chapters and a short epilogue).
I'm struggling with what to call it. I'm creating a list of possibilities now, but maybe I shouldn't worry too much about it since it might change in the future? Who knows. When I first started this project back in high school (ohhhh so long ago--I'm so old) it was called "A Fallen Gift" and while that title still suits the story in some ways, it's changed so greatly since those first eight drafts that I think the title needs to be just as new.
I just wrote down "The Falling" which may be good. But would I call the sequel "The Rising"? Boo, both are boring and not very original. I don't know. I just feel like it needs a working title.
Here's a very brief summary of the story:
"Evelyn has returned to Falls, New Hampshire, in search of Lucas, a friend who she was forced to abandon with no warning when she was just a child. During her search she finds herself drawn to mysterious Cameron and discovers that he is not what he seems to be. When painful secrets about her life and her past come to light she, and her relationships with Lucas and Cameron, will be changed forever."[Note: I'm slightly worried that "Falls" is too close to "Forks" (Twilight's setting) as a name of a town. Opinions?]
I bet I can get the summary a bit tighter, which I'll need to in order to pitch it in a query letter to agents (the step following editing). I guess I'll go with "The Falling" for now (gag)... I don't know why I feel like I need a title on it before I print out the first draft. Eccentric writer behavior I guess? :)
Sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see the Falls/ Fork thing. Maybe get rid the F all together. Would Grove work?
Also, I love your fish.
I'm sorry but I kind of disagree. I think the summary sounds a bit bland and boring. It doesn't sound very original.
ReplyDeleteI read it and couldn't help but think some sort of 'love' triangle was going to happen. WHICH it might not, but that's the feeling I get when I read it.
And the Title doesn't really make me want to read the story either, sorry.
It's a good job I know what an amazin author you are, lol.
And I hope I haven't hurt your feeings but you asked for an opinion and I gave you mine. I don't want to lie and I REALLY want to see you succeed. :D
Also I find it a bit weird people leaving there homes and such just to find a friend when they were kids?
Hey thanks for the comments/opinions. @Sammy, no hurt feelings here. The summary is VERY basic and doesn't really do the entire novel justice. It's good that this is only a first draft, though. And of course you can't please everyone. And love triangles can be fun, but then again the story isn't about a love triangle, it's just part of the overall story.
ReplyDeleteDidn't read Twilight, so "Forks" and "Falls" were not too similar for me. Plus, they sound nothing a like. :)
ReplyDeleteThe summary is a bit lacking, and could go deeper. The title... depends. I would possibly pick it off the shelf, but then I'd need a better blurb to make me definitely want to buy :)
Don't stress too much about it all now... it'll all evolve more as you edit, I'm sure.
I think Forks and Falls is too similar just on the basis that I've read stories where it has had werewolves in it, and that was all, and people were saying 'you totally stole this idea from twilight' even though the plot/characters were nothing like Stephanie's. Throw in a mysterious boy that catches the attention of the new girl and regardless of what the plot line is, people will be searching for similarities, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe summary is really basic but I think it's because it just lays down the bare bones, most likely when you do your other drafts and go more indepth you'll tweak it so it says what you want it to say but your voice carries through or something that'll give it that oomph it needs.
For now The Falling sounds like something I might have heard already and I wouldn't pick it up. It's okay for a first draft title but maybe you could look into things with angels or a song lyric that connects that'll seem a bit obscure now but after you've read it, it makes sense?
Congrats on graduating!!! And I am super impressed that you managed to finish a full novel in 2.5 months, rough draft or not. Did you write daily or did you hav ea weekly goal to reach or what? I really want to get more focused with my writing and writing a draft in less than a year [or two] but I have no idea how to go about it.
Thanks for your comments Jage! They were very helpful. I will likely tweak the town's name and you're spot on about the little summary, it really is just the bare bones since so much more happens. I just need to find a way to keep it just as short but have more power.
ReplyDeleteAs for the writing. I set a goal for myself to write at least 1 page a day. Most days I ended up writing much, much more. I had a lot of free time on my hands when I was writing so I was often writing about 5 hours a day. That will likely change when I find a job. Too bad I'm not rich cause I could easily make writing fiction my full-time work. :) Good luck with your writing!